What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
quiddling
Example
He spent the entire meeting quiddling with his pen, not paying attention to what was being discussed. [quiddling: verb]
Example
She couldn't stop quiddling with her hair during the interview, making her appear nervous. [quiddling: gerund or present participle]
fidgeting
Example
The child kept fidgeting in his seat, unable to sit still for more than a few seconds. [fidgeting: verb]
Example
She tried to hide her fidgeting by clasping her hands together tightly. [fidgeting: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fidgeting is a more commonly used word than quiddling in everyday language. Fidgeting is a well-known habit that many people experience, while quiddling is a less common term that may not be familiar to everyone.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between quiddling and fidgeting?
Both quiddling and fidgeting are informal words that are unlikely to be used in formal contexts. However, quiddling may be seen as more obscure or archaic than fidgeting.
